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Florita C. Hankins • 1926 - 2004 Florita C. Hankins, 78, 6800 18th Ave NW, Minot, died Friday, November 05, 2004, at her home. She was born on February 10, 1926, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Frank and Margaret (Hebensberger) Thielen. She was reared and educated in Chicago where she attended St. Gregory's Catholic Church. By the fifth grade she was a drummer in the school band. She later attended and graduated from Immaculata High School in Chicago. During high school she volunteered for various organizations and it was then that she learned to transcribe Braille for Blind with the Catholic Guild. Florita attended St. Elizabeth's Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago where she earned a diploma in nursing. She later attended the University College of Loyola where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree with an honors key from the Wasserman Society. Florita was a perennial student, earning over 330 semester hours in everything from agriculture to zoology. As a result she had minors in English, music, philosophy and education. She also earned a teaching certificate. While working at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Florita met Robert E. Hankins, MD. They were married on September 16, 1950, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church, Chicago. They moved to Wauwatosa, WI, where she taught at the Hospital nursing school where her husband served his internship. The couple later returned to Chicago where Florita continued to teach at St. Elizabeth's Hospital School of Nursing. In June of 1953, they moved to Mott, ND, where they raised their six children. While living in Mott, Florita was active with the State Medical Society Auxiliary, starting a high school nursing club, The Medicorps of Mott, and served as president of the North Dakota State Medical Society Auxiliary. She was also active with the Mott Girl Scouts, and continued to transcribe braille for the Chicago Catholic Guild. In 1975, the couple moved to Minot, ND. She worked for H&R Block as a tax preparer and in her husband's office. Florita was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, sang with the Voices of Note in Minot and served on the boards of the Minot Council of the Arts and the Souris River Botanical Conservatory. She previously served on the board of regents at the University of Mary, Bismarck and was also a volunteer teacher at the Minot Adult Learning Center. Survivors: husband, Dr. Robert Hankins, Minot; sons, Frederick H. Hankins, Parshall, ND, and James R. Hankins, Flagstaff, AZ; daughters, Kathryn J. (LeRoy) Bertsch, Hastings, MN, Jeanette C. Hankins, Portland, OR, Carol H. (Thomas) Olson, Bismarck, ND, and Nancy H. (Greg) Bauman, Berthold, ND; grandchildren, Cheryl Bertsch, Brian (Stacy) Bertsch, Nicole and Kyla Olson, Jami, Jimmy and Harley Hankins; great-grandchildren, Dawson, Abby and Ayden Bertsch; sister-in-law, Patricia Thielen, Villa Park, IL; and two nieces and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Margaret Thielen, and her brother, Larry Thielen. Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, November 8, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot. Visitation: Sunday, November 7, 2004, from Noon until 7 p.m. at the Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot. Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday, November 7, 2004, at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial: A private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Souris River Botanical Conservatory or Hospice Foundation. Celebrant of the Liturgies:Father Paul Becker, Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, ND Music: The Voices of Note Sarah Dimond, accompanist Readers: LeRoy Bertsch & Tom Olson Gift Bearers: Florita's grandchildren Honorary Bearers: Florita's grandchildren Active Bearers: Alan Henning, Jim Babb, Wade Williamson, Tom Olson, LeRoy Bertsch Greg Bauman
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